NST1502
ASSIGNMENT 3
DUE DATE: 14 AUGUST 2023
, QUESTION 1
Define the following terms:
1.1 Planet: A planet is a celestial body that orbits around a star, is spherical in shape, and has
cleared its orbit of other debris. Planets are major objects in our solar system and are not
satellites of other planets.
1.2 Oort Cloud: The Oort Cloud is a hypothetical region in the outermost reaches of the solar
system, far beyond the orbit of Pluto. It is believed to be a reservoir of icy objects, such as
comets, that orbit the Sun at great distances. The Oort Cloud is thought to be the source of long-
period comets that occasionally enter the inner solar system.
1.3 Solar System: The solar system refers to the collection of celestial bodies that are
gravitationally bound to the Sun. It includes the Sun, eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), their moons, asteroids, comets, and other smaller
objects. The solar system is located in the Milky Way galaxy.
1.4 Galaxy: A galaxy is a vast system of stars, gas, dust, and other celestial objects bound
together by gravity. Galaxies can vary in size, shape, and composition. Our Milky Way galaxy,
for example, is a barred spiral galaxy that contains billions of stars and other celestial objects.
1.5 The Moon: The Moon is Earth's natural satellite and the fifth-largest moon in the solar
system. It is the only celestial object other than Earth that humans have visited. The Moon orbits
around the Earth and plays a significant role in tides and stabilizing Earth's rotation. It has a
rocky surface and lacks an atmosphere and liquid water.
1.6 The atmosphere: The atmosphere refers to the layer of gases that surround a
planet or celestial body. In the context of Earth, the atmosphere is the envelope of
gases that envelops our planet and is held in place by Earth's gravitational pull. It is
composed mainly of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%), along with trace
amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and noble gases
ASSIGNMENT 3
DUE DATE: 14 AUGUST 2023
, QUESTION 1
Define the following terms:
1.1 Planet: A planet is a celestial body that orbits around a star, is spherical in shape, and has
cleared its orbit of other debris. Planets are major objects in our solar system and are not
satellites of other planets.
1.2 Oort Cloud: The Oort Cloud is a hypothetical region in the outermost reaches of the solar
system, far beyond the orbit of Pluto. It is believed to be a reservoir of icy objects, such as
comets, that orbit the Sun at great distances. The Oort Cloud is thought to be the source of long-
period comets that occasionally enter the inner solar system.
1.3 Solar System: The solar system refers to the collection of celestial bodies that are
gravitationally bound to the Sun. It includes the Sun, eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), their moons, asteroids, comets, and other smaller
objects. The solar system is located in the Milky Way galaxy.
1.4 Galaxy: A galaxy is a vast system of stars, gas, dust, and other celestial objects bound
together by gravity. Galaxies can vary in size, shape, and composition. Our Milky Way galaxy,
for example, is a barred spiral galaxy that contains billions of stars and other celestial objects.
1.5 The Moon: The Moon is Earth's natural satellite and the fifth-largest moon in the solar
system. It is the only celestial object other than Earth that humans have visited. The Moon orbits
around the Earth and plays a significant role in tides and stabilizing Earth's rotation. It has a
rocky surface and lacks an atmosphere and liquid water.
1.6 The atmosphere: The atmosphere refers to the layer of gases that surround a
planet or celestial body. In the context of Earth, the atmosphere is the envelope of
gases that envelops our planet and is held in place by Earth's gravitational pull. It is
composed mainly of nitrogen (about 78%) and oxygen (about 21%), along with trace
amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, and noble gases
